Joseph s



BFATBB PATENT JOSEPH S. FOSTER, OF VALLlClTi-X, CALIFORNIA.

MACHINE FOR FELLING TREES.

lSpecification of Letters Ik-'atent No. 32,688, dated July 2, 1861.

lmproved Machine forV Cutting Trees; and

l do hereby declare that the following a full, clear, and enact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specificition, in which- Figure l. represents a longitudinal sectional elevation through the improved tree cutter taken in the vertical plane indicated by the red line ce, in Fig 2. Fig. Q. is a plan view of -the improved machine representing the parts in a position to operate upon a tree. Fig. 3. is a cross section taken in the vertical plane indicated by the red line y, y, in Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the three figures.

This invention relates to a novel machine for felling trees, and cutting the trees into logs.

lt consists in a rotary cutter, sliding weighted carriage, or frame, and a driving wheel, for operating` said cutter, the whole being combined with and mounted on a portable frame or table furnished with suitable clamps for securing it to the trunk of a tree as will be hereinafter described.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use iny invention l will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A. represents a frame which has a longitudinal sliding movement between two longitudinal bars B. B. of a frame or table O. The sides of the sliding' frame A. have tenons projecting from them, which tenons lit into corresponding groovesl in the longitudinal bars B. B. Ait the rea'r end of sliding frame A. a cord a, is attached, `which passes over a pulley af, and carries on its end weight o, the gravity of which is sufficient to move the frame A. back, as will be hereinafter described.

D. is a shaft which extends transversely across the rear part of the slidingfraine A. and which has its bearings on top of thisI framerl. shaft D. projects out from one side of the bar B. and carries on this proj ecting end a large belt wheel E. from the outside of which projects a crank arm c. The belt (Z, which passes over the wheel E. also passes over a small wheel e, on the projecting end of a knife stock or shaft g, and gives a rapid rotary motion to the knife G. A'

The knife G. extends transversely across the front ends of the sliding frame A. and has its bearings in this frame. rFhe bearings of knife G. are made in such a manner that the knife canbe readily removed from the frame A. by slipping olf. the belt (Z, from its wheel c.

. The knife G. is made with two cutting edges, though only one edge will perform the cutting while the knife is rotated in one direction. The shape of this cutter or knife @fis that of a tube split lengthwise, having both edges sharpened, and as both edges are sharpened the cutter will perform its work when rotated in either direction. ln cross section the knife G is crescent shaped as represented in Fig. l.

rlhe longitudinal bars B. B. project out from one end of the frame C. a suitable distance and on the under side of these bars B. B. are placed adjusting clamp screws 7L, 7L, which are used to clamp the frame C. to the tree prejniratory to the cutting operation. as represented in Fig. 2.

Thel distance between the longitudinal bars of the sliding frame or carriage A. should be such that these bars will pass on eachside of the -trunk of a large tree, and the ends of longitudinal bars B. B. should project out from the frame O. a suitable distance to allow clamping screws 71 L, to grasp the tree firmly and hold the frame O. to the tree during the operation of knife G. upon it.

Theoperation of my improved machine is as follows. The band CZ, is removed from cutter pullejT c, and this cutter is removed from its carriage It. the machine is then brought up close to the tree it is desired to fell and the projecting ends of bars B. B. are placed on each side of the trunk of the tree. The screws 71, 71, are now set up so as to clamp the frame C. and bars B. B. securely iu place to the tree. The cutter Gr. is now put in its bearings in carriage A. on the opposite side of the tree and the belt cl, is again slipped over pulley c. The weight o, now operates upon the carriage A. to keep the cutter G. up against the tree, to its work. The knife (l. is now rotated until the tree is cut half through, when the cutter Gr. is again removed and the machine is turned around so that the cutter can be presented to the tree opposite to the first cut. The cutter G. is again replaced and the tree is cut until it is ready to fall When the screws 7L, 7i, are loosened and as the tree falls the machine is drawn out of the Way. The Weight b, moves the horizontal cutter G. toward the center of the tree from either' direction, the ma chine may be placed and this Weight may be increased or diminished according to circumstances. For cutting the fallen tree up into lengths, the Weight b, is removed and the machine, which is made very portable, is placed over the log. The screws 7L, /2 are now set up to the log and the frame clamped 5 to it as before described, and the Work of cutting is performed as before described.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

The carriage C. carrying the cutter G. and the pulleys E, c, for operating this cutter, in combination with the Weight ZJ, frame C. and clamps 7L, la, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.

JOSEPH S. FOSTER.

Witnesses: A

G. B. OGILVIE, WM. D. KELLY. 

